KONGSBERG RMP201-8 | Remote I/O Module Overview

Model: RMP201-8
Manufacturer: Kongsberg Maritime (formerly part of Kongsberg Gruppen, Norway)
Product Family: K-Chief 500 / K-Chief 600 marine automation and monitoring systems
Core Function: Remote I/O (Input/Output) module providing distributed signal acquisition and control for shipboard machinery systems—typically used for analog inputs (e.g., temperature, pressure, level)
Lifecycle Status: Obsolete / Discontinued
Procurement Risk: High – No longer in production; extremely limited availability on the secondary market; original firmware and configuration tools are difficult to access
Critical Role: Enables real-time monitoring of critical engine room parameters; failure can lead to loss of alarm functionality, impaired remote control, or non-compliance with class society requirements (e.g., DNV, ABS, LR)

Description

Key Technical Specifications (For Spare Part Verification)

Part Number: RMP201-8
Module Type: Analog Input Module (AI)
Number of Channels: 8 differential or single-ended analog inputs
Input Signal Range: Typically configurable for:
- 4–20 mA (most common in marine applications)
- 0–10 V DC
- Pt100 / Ni100 RTD (depending on variant and firmware)
Isolation: Channel-to-channel and field-to-bus isolation (typically ≥500 V)
Communication Interface: Proprietary Kongsberg Fieldbus (based on CAN or RS-485 physical layer) connecting to central RPU (Remote Processing Unit)
Mounting: DIN rail in remote I/O cabinets (engine room, deck machinery spaces)
Power Supply: 24 V DC (redundant capable in system architecture)
Diagnostics: LED indicators for Power, Bus OK, and Module Fault
Environmental Rating: Marine-grade (IP20 cabinet-mounted; designed for 0–55°C, high humidity, and vibration per IEC 60945)

KONGSBERG RMP201-8

System Role and Downtime Impact

The RMP201-8 is a foundational component in Kongsberg’s K-Chief 500/600 integrated automation systems, widely installed on commercial vessels (tankers, container ships, offshore support vessels) and naval platforms. It digitizes analog sensor signals from pumps, compressors, boilers, and propulsion systems, feeding data to centralized alarm, monitoring, and control logic.

Failure consequences include:

Loss of critical sensor readings (e.g., lube oil pressure, jacket water temperature)
Inability to trigger alarms or automatic shutdowns during abnormal conditions
Degraded or disabled Unattended Machinery Space (UMS) classification
Potential violation of SOLAS or MARPOL compliance if safety loops are compromised

Since most installations do not feature redundant I/O at the module level, a single RMP201-8 failure can disable an entire subsystem—forcing manual watchkeeping or operational restrictions until repaired.

Reliability Analysis and Common Failure Modes

Despite marine-hardened design, the RMP201-8 is vulnerable to:

Analog front-end circuit drift: Precision resistors and amplifiers degrade over time, causing measurement offset or nonlinearity
Electrolytic capacitor aging: Internal power filtering capacitors dry out, leading to noise or reset glitches
Fieldbus transceiver failure: CAN/RS-485 ICs fail due to voltage surges from lightning or switching transients on long cable runs
Terminal block corrosion: Salt-laden air causes oxidation in screw terminals, increasing contact resistance
Firmware corruption: Rare but possible after power interruptions or EMI events

Preventive best practices:

Perform periodic calibration checks against known references
Inspect for condensation or salt deposits during dry-dock
Maintain backup configuration files (.cfg or .prj) for rapid replacement
Store spares in climate-controlled, anti-static packaging

KONGSBERG RMP201-8

Lifecycle Status and Migration Strategy

Kongsberg has discontinued the RMP201 series as part of its transition to the K-Chief 700 platform, which uses modern Ethernet-based I/O (e.g., RIU700 modules) and supports cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443).

While limited repair services exist, no new RMP201-8 modules are manufactured, and Kongsberg provides only minimal legacy support.

Short-term mitigation:

Source tested-used units from marine electronics recyclers or decommissioned vessels
Verify compatibility with your K-Chief system version (e.g., KC500 vs. KC600)
Keep at least two verified spares onboard for critical systems

Long-term strategic path:
Upgrade to K-Chief 700, which offers:

IP-based remote I/O with enhanced diagnostics
Cyber-resilient architecture
Cloud-enabled monitoring via Kongsberg Digital solutions
Extended lifecycle support

Migration involves:

Replacing RMP201 cabinets with RIU700 units
Rewiring analog sensors (often reusing existing multicore cables)
Reconfiguring control logic in K-Design engineering tool
Recertification by class society